Former Police Chief Nate Harper resigns in wake of investigation

A coalition of community groups is speaking out about Pittsburgh's next police chief, not who should fill the job, but about what qualities and priorities it will take for the new chief to get that job done.

Regina McDonald arrived early at Pittsburgh Police Bureau headquarters for her first day as the acting chief. Mayor Luke Ravenstahl -- who asked for Chief Nate Harper's resignation -- came by for an afternoon meeting.

The activists said the new police chief must move strongly to improve public confidence, community relations and accountability.

“Maybe the next chief just has to be bold. Bold and able to stand up to negative police officers, police officers who abuse their awesome powers and responsibilities,” said Tim Stevens, of the Black Political Empowerment Project.

Organizers have won City Council's promise of a hearing next Wednesday at 1 p.m. for the public to speak out about what the new chief must do. They said that should include more control of the sort the Pittsburgh Police Bureau saw during its years operating under a federal consent decree.

"For some time now, the police department here in Pittsburgh has felt like a runaway train. (It's) not clear whether anybody is really in charge or minding the shop there,” said American Civil Liberties Union's Pennsylvania legal director Vic Walczak.

The activists also said the new chief must work for greater diversity in a police force that they believe is heavily white and male.

"In order for us to have a more diverse police force, we do need to focus on the common ground of trust, and how we get there,” said Brandi Fisher, of the Alliance for Police Accountability.

In a news conference outside Pittsburgh City Council Chambers, the organizers called on Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and mayoral candidates Michael Lamb and Bill Peduto to come and listen to citizens’ concerns at the hearing.

As troubling as allegations of misappropriation of money in the Pittsburgh police bureau may be, the citizens groups said there needs to be a focus on more far-reaching reforms.

"Obviously, something is breaking down in the police department,” said Walczak. "Re-instituting strong management and accountability is going to cut down on both police misconduct in the community and the type of corruption that the federal government is investigating right now.”

"Adherence and enforcement must be in the blood stream, in the DNA of the next police chief,” Stevens added. “You can have the greatest policies in the world, but if they're not being adhered to, they're not being followed, and in fact ignored, they mean little, if nothing."